Act the Second
   
 
   
Scene I
   
 
   
 
   
[Gloucester’s house]
Enter Young SPENCER and BALDOCK

  Bald.  Spencer,
      
Seeing that our lord the Earl of Gloucester’s dead,
      
Which of the nobles dost thou mean to serve?
      
  Y. Spen.  Not Mortimer, nor any of his side,
           4
   
Because the king and he are enemies.
      
Baldock, learn this of me, a factious lord
      
Shall hardly do himself good, much less us;
      
But he that hath the favour of a king,
           8
   
May with one word advance us while we live.
      
The liberal Earl of Cornwall is the man
      
On whose good fortune Spencer’s hopes depends.
      
  Bald.  What, mean you then to be his follower?
           12
   
  Y. Spen.  No, his companion; for he loves me well,
      
And would have once preferr’d me to the king.
      
  Bald.  But he is banish’d; there’s small hope of him.
      
  Y. Spen.  Ay, for a while; but, Baldock, mark the end.
           16
   
A friend of mine told me in secrecy
      
That he’s repeal’d, and sent for back again;
      
And even now a post came from the court
      
With letters to our lady from the king;
           20
   
And as she read she smil’d, which makes me think
      
It is about her lover Gaveston.
      
  Bald.  ’Tis like enough; for since he was exil’d
      
She neither walks abroad, nor comes in sight.
           24
   
But I had thought the match had been broke off,
      
And that his banishment had chang’d her mind.
      
  Y. Spen.  Our lady’s first love is not wavering;
      
My life for thine, she will have Gaveston.
           28
   
  Bald.  Then hope I by her means to be preferr’d,
      
Having read unto her since she was a child.
      
  Y. Spen.  Then, Baldock, you must cast the scholar off,
      
And learn to court it like a gentleman.
           32
   
’Tis not a black coat and a little band,
      
A velvet-cap’d coat, fac’d before with serge,
      
And smelling to a nosegay all the day,
      
Or holding of a napkin in your hand,
           36
   
Or saying a long grace at a table’s end,
      
Or making low legs 1 to a nobleman,
      
Or looking downward with your eyelids close,
      
And saying, “Truly, an’t 2 may please your honour,”
           40
   
Can get you any favour with great men;
      
You must be proud, bold, pleasant, resolute,
      
And now and then stab, as occasion serves.
      
  Bald.  Spencer, thou know’st I hate such formal toys,
           44
   
And use them but of mere hypocrisy.
      
Mine old lord whiles he liv’d was so precise,
      
That he would take exceptions at my buttons,
      
And being like pin’s heads, blame me for the bigness;
           48
   
Which made me curate-like in mine attire,
      
Though inwardly licentious enough
      
And apt for any kind of villainy.
      
I am none of these common pedants, I,
           52
   
That cannot speak without propterea quod. 3
      
  Y. Spen.  But one of those that saith quandoquidem, 4
      
And hath a special gift to form a verb.
      
  Bald.  Leave off this jesting, here my lady comes.
           56
   
 
   
Enter the Lady [KING EDWARD’S Niece.]

  Niece.  The grief for his exile was not so much
      
As is the joy of his returning home.
      
This letter came from my sweet Gaveston:—
      
What need’st thou, love, thus to excuse thyself?
           60
   
I know thou could’st not come and visit me.
      
[Reads.] “I will not long be from thee, though I die.”
      
This argues the entire love of my lord;
      
[Reads.] “When I forsake thee, death seize on my heart:”
           64
   
But stay thee here where Gaveston shall sleep.
      
[Puts the letter into her bosom.]
      
Now to the letter of my lord the king.—
      
He wills me to repair unto the court,
           68
   
And meet my Gaveston? Why do I stay,
      
Seeing that he talks thus of my marriage-day?
      
Who’s there? Baldock!
      
See that my coach be ready, I must hence.
           72
   
  Bald.  It shall be done, madam.
      
  Niece.  And meet me at the park-pale presently.  Exit BALDOCK.
      
Spencer, stay you and bear me company,
      
For I have joyful news to tell thee of.
           76
   
My lord of Cornwall is a-coming over,
      
And will be at the court as soon as we.
      
  Y. Spen.  I knew the king would have him home again.
      
  Niece.  If all things sort 5 out as I hope they will,
           80
   
Thy service, Spencer, shall be thought upon.
      
  Y. Spen.  I humbly thank your ladyship.
      
  Niece.  Come, lead the way; I long till I am there.  Exeunt.
      
 

Act the Second
   
 
   
Scene II
   
 
   
 
   
Enter KING EDWARD, QUEEN ISABELLA, KENT, LANCASTER, Young MORTIMER, WARWICK, PEMBROKE, and Attendants

  K. Edw.  The wind is good, I wonder why he stays;
      
I fear me he is wrack’d upon the sea.
      
  Q. Isab.  Look, Lancaster, how passionate 1 he is,
      
And still his mind runs on his minion!
           4
   
  Lan.  My lord,—
      
  K. Edw.  How now! what news? Is Gaveston arriv’d?
      
  Y. Mor.  Nothing but Gaveston!—What means your grace?
      
You have matters of more weight to think upon;
           8
   
The King of France sets foot in Normandy.
      
  K. Edw.  A trifle! we’ll expel him when we please.
      
But tell me, Mortimer, what’s thy device
      
Against the stately triumph we decreed?
           12
   
  Y. Mor.  A homely one, my lord, not worth the telling.
      
  K. Edw.  Pray thee let me know it.
      
  Y. Mor.  But, seeing you are so desirous, thus it is:
      
A lofty cedar-tree, fair flourishing,
           16
   
On whose top-branches kingly eagles perch,
      
And by the bark a canker 2 creeps me up,
      
And gets into the highest bough of all:
      
The motto, Æque tandem. 3
           20
   
  K. Edw.  And what is yours, my lord of Lancaster?
      
  Lan.  My lord, mine’s more obscure than Mortimer’s.
      
Pliny reports there is a flying fish
      
Which all the other fishes deadly hate,
           24
   
And therefore, being pursued, it takes the air:
      
No sooner is it up, but there’s a fowl
      
That seizeth it; this fish, my lord, I bear:
      
The motto this: Undique mors est. 4
           28
   
  K. Edw.  Proud Mortimer! ungentle Lancaster!
      
Is this the love you bear your sovereign?
      
Is this the fruit your reconcilement bears?
      
Can you in words make show of amity,
           32
   
And in your shields display your rancorous minds!
      
What call you this but private libelling
      
Against the Earl of Cornwall and my brother?
      
  Q. Isab.  Sweet husband, be content, they all love you.
           36
   
  K. Edw.  They love me not that hate my Gaveston.
      
I am that cedar, shake me not too much;
      
And you the eagles; soar ye ne’er so high,
      
I have the jesses 5 that will pull you down;
           40
   
And Æque tandem shall that canker cry
      
Unto the proudest peer of Britainy.
      
Though thou compar’st him to a flying fish,
      
And threatenest death whether he rise or fall,
           44
   
’Tis not the hugest monster of the sea,
      
Nor foulest harpy that shall swallow him.
      
  Y. Mor.  If in his absence thus he favours him,
      
What will he do whenas he shall be present?
           48
   
  Lan.  That shall we see; look where his lordship comes.
      
 
   
Enter GAVESTON

  K. Edw.  My Gaveston!
      
Welcome to Tynemouth! Welcome to thy friend!
      
Thy absence made me droop and pine away;
           52
   
For, as the lovers of fair Danae,
      
When she was lock’d up in a brazen tower,
      
Desired her more, and wax’d outrageous,
      
So did it fare 6 with me; and now thy sight
           56
   
Is sweeter far than was thy parting hence
      
Bitter and irksome to my sobbing heart.
      
  Gav.  Sweet lord and king, your speech preventeth 7 mine,
      
Yet have I words left to express my joy:
           60
   
The shepherd nipt with biting winter’s rage
      
Frolics not more to see the painted spring,
      
Than I do to behold your majesty.
      
  K. Edw.  Will none of you salute my Gaveston?
           64
   
  Lan.  Salute him? yes. Welcome, Lord Chamberlain!
      
  Y. Mor.  Welcome is the good Earl of Cornwall!
      
  War.  Welcome, Lord Governor of the Isle of Man!
      
  Pem.  Welcome, Master Secretary!
           68
   
  Kent.  Brother, do you hear them?
      
  K. Edw.  Still will these earls and barons use me thus.
      
  Gav.  My lord, I cannot brook these injuries.
      
  Q. Isab.  Aye me, poor soul, when these begin to jar.  [Aside.]
           72
   
  K. Edw.  Return it to their throats, I’ll be thy warrant.
      
  Gav.  Base, leaden earls, that glory in your birth,
      
Go sit at home and eat your tenants’ beef;
      
And come not here to scoff at Gaveston,
           76
   
Whose mounting thoughts did never creep so low
      
As to bestow a look on such as you.
      
  Lan.  Yet I disdain not to do this for you.  [Draws his sword and offers to stab GAVESTON.]
      
  K. Edw.  Treason! treason! where’s the traitor?
           80
   
  Pem.  Here! here!
      
  K. Edw.  Convey hence Gaveston; they’ll murder him.
      
  Gav.  The life of thee shall salve this foul disgrace.
      
  Y. Mor.  Villain! thy life, unless I miss mine aim.  [Wounds GAVESTON.]
           84
   
  Q. Isab.  Ah! furious Mortimer, what hast thou done?
      
  Y. Mor.  No more than I would answer, were he slain.  [Exit GAVESTON with Attendants.]
      
  K. Edw.  Yes, more than thou canst answer, though he live.
      
Dear shall you both abye 8 this riotous deed.
           88
   
Out of my presence! Come not near the court.
      
  Y. Mor.  I’ll not be barr’d the court for Gaveston.
      
  Lan.  We’ll hale him by the ears unto the block.
      
  K. Edw.  Look to your own heads; his is sure enough.
           92
   
  War.  Look to your own crown, if you back him thus.
      
  Kent.  Warwick, these words do ill beseem thy years.
      
  K. Edw.  Nay, all of them conspire to cross me thus;
      
But if I live, I’ll tread upon their heads
           96
   
That think with high looks thus to tread me down.
      
Come, Edmund, let’s away and levy men,
      
’Tis war that must abate these barons’ pride.  Exeunt KING EDWARD, [QUEEN ISABELLA and KENT.]
      
  War.  Let’s to our castles, for the king is mov’d.
           100
   
  Y. Mor.  Mov’d may he be, and perish in his wrath!
      
  Lan.  Cousin, it is no dealing with him now,
      
He means to make us stoop by force of arms;
      
And therefore let us jointly here protest,
           104
   
To persecute that Gaveston to the death.
      
  Y. Mor.  By heaven, the abject villain shall not live!
      
  War.  I’ll have his blood, or die in seeking it.
      
  Pem.  The like oath Pembroke takes.
           108
   
  Lan.  And so doth Lancaster.
      
Now send our heralds to defy the king;
      
And make the people swear to put him down.
      
 
   
[Enter a Messenger]

  Y. Mor.  Letters! From whence?
           112
   
  Mess.  From Scotland, my lord.  [Giving letters to MORTIMER.]
      
  Lan.  Why, how now, cousin, how fares all our friends?
      
  Y. Mor.  My uncle’s taken prisoner by the Scots.
      
  Lan.  We’ll have him ransom’d, man; be of good cheer.
           116
   
  Y. Mor.  They rate his ransom at five thousand pound.
      
Who should defray the money but the king,
      
Seeing he is taken prisoner in his wars?
      
I’ll to the king.
           120
   
  Lan.  Do, cousin, and I’ll bear thee company.
      
  War.  Meantime, my lord of Pembroke and myself
      
Will to Newcastle here, and gather head. 9
      
  Y. Mor.  About it then, and we will follow you.
           124
   
  Lan.  Be resolute and full of secrecy.
      
  War.  I warrant you.  [Exit with PEMBROKE.]
      
  Y. Mor.  Cousin, and if he will not ransom him,
      
I’ll thunder such a peal into his ears,
           128
   
As never subject did unto his king.
      
  Lan.  Content, I’ll bear my part—Holla! who’s there?
      
 
   
[Enter Guard]

  Y. Mor.  Ay, marry, such a guard as this doth well.
      
  Lan.  Lead on the way.
           132
   
  Guard.  Whither will your lordships?
      
  Y. Mor.  Whither else but to the king.
      
  Guard.  His highness is dispos’d to be alone.
      
  Lan.  Why, so he may, but we will speak to him.
           136
   
  Guard.  You may not in, my lord.
      
  Y. Mor.  May we not?
      
 
   
[Enter KING EDWARD and KENT]

  K. Edu.  How now!
      
What noise is this? Who have we there? Is’t you?  [Going.]
           140
   
  Y. Mor.  Nay, stay, my lord, I come to bring you news;
      
Mine uncle’s taken prisoner by the Scots.
      
  K. Edw.  Then ransom him.
      
  Lan.  ’Twas in your wars; you should ransom him.
           144
   
  Y. Mor.  And you shall ransom him, or else——s
      
  Kent.  What! Mortimer, you will not threaten him?
      
  K. Edw.  Quiet yourself, you shall have the broad seal,
      
To gather for him throughout the realm.
           148
   
  Lan.  Your minion Gaveston hath taught you this.
      
  Y. Mor.  My lord, the family of the Mortimers
      
Are not so poor, but, would they sell their land,
      
’Twould levy men enough to anger you.
           152
   
We never beg, but use such prayers as these.
      
  K. Edw.  Shall I still be haunted thus?
      
  Y. Mor.  Nay, now you’re here alone, I’ll speak my mind.
      
  Lan.  And so will I, and then, my lord, farewell.
           156
   
  Y. Mor.  The idle triumphs, masks, lascivious shows,
      
And prodigal gifts bestow’d on Gaveston,
      
Have drawn thy treasury dry, and made thee weak;
      
The murmuring commons, overstretched, break.
           160
   
  Lan.  Look for rebellion, look to be depos’d.
      
Thy garrisons are beaten out of France,
      
And, lame and poor, lie groaning at the gates.
      
The wild O’Neill, with swarms of Irish kerns, 10
           164
   
Lives uncontroll’d within the English pale.
      
Unto the walls of York the Scots made road, 11
      
And unresisted drave away rich spoils.
      
  Y. Mor.  The haughty Dane commands the narrow seas,
           168
   
While in the harbour ride thy ships unrigg’d.
      
  Lan.  What foreign prince sends thee ambassadors?
      
  Y. Mor.  Who loves thee, but a sort 12 of flatterers?
      
  Lan.  Thy gentle queen, sole sister to Valois,
           172
   
Complains that thou hast left her all forlorn.
      
  Y. Mor.  Thy court is naked, being bereft of those
      
That make a king seem glorious to the world;
      
I mean the peers, whom thou should’st dearly love.
           176
   
Libels are cast again thee in the street;
      
Ballads and rhymes made of thy overthrow.
      
  Lan.  The Northern borderers seeing their houses burnt,
      
Their wives and children slain, run up and down,
           180
   
Cursing the name of thee and Gaveston.
      
  Y. Mor.  When wert thou in the field with banner spread,
      
But once? and then thy soldiers marched like players,
      
With garish robes, not armour; and thyself,
           184
   
Bedaub’d with gold, rode laughing at the rest,
      
Nodding and shaking of thy spangled crest,
      
Where women’s favours hung like labels down.
      
  Lan.  And therefore came it, that the fleering 13 Scots,
           188
   
To England’s high disgrace, have made this jig;
       
   “Maids of England, sore may you mourn,—
   
For your lemans 14 you have lost at Bannocksbourn,— 15
   
  With a heave and a ho!
   
What weeneth the King of England,
   
So soon to have won Scotland?—
   
  With a rombelow!”
   

  Y. Mor.  Wigmore 16 shall fly, to set my uncle free.
      
  Lan.  And when ’tis gone, our swords shall purchase more.
      
If ye be mov’d, revenge it as you can;
           192
   
Look next to see us with our ensigns spread.  Exit with Young MORTIMER.
      
  K. Edw.  My swelling heart for very anger breaks!
      
How oft have I been baited by these peers,
      
And dare not be reveng’d, for their power is great!
           196
   
Yet, shall the crowing of these cockerels
      
Affright a lion? Edward, unfold thy paws,
      
And let their lives’ blood slake thy fury’s hunger.
      
If I be cruel and grow tyrannous,
           200
   
Now let them thank themselves, and rue too late.
      
  Kent.  My lord, I see your love to Gaveston
      
Will be the ruin of the realm and you,
      
For now the wrathful nobles threaten wars,
           204
   
And therefore, brother, banish him for ever.
      
  K. Edw.  Art thou an enemy to my Gaveston?
      
  Kent.  Ay, and it grieves me that I favoured him.
      
  K. Edw.  Traitor, begone! whine thou with Mortimer.
           208
   
  Kent.  So will I, rather than with Gaveston.
      
  K. Edw.  Out of my sight, and trouble me no more!
      
  Kent.  No marvel though thou scorn thy noble peers,
      
When I thy brother am rejected thus.
           212
   
  K. Edw.  Away!  Exit KENT.
      
Poor Gaveston, that has no friend but me,
      
Do what they can, we’ll live in Tynemouth here,
      
And, so I walk with him about the walls,
           216
   
What care I though the earls begirt us round?—
      
Here comes she that is cause of all these jars.
      
 
   
Enter QUEEN ISABELLA with [KING EDWARD’S Niece, two] Ladies, [GAVESTON,] BALDOCK and Young SPENCER

  Q. Isab.  My lord, ’tis thought the earls are up in arms.
      
  K. Edw.  Ay, and ’tis likewise thought you favour ’em.
           220
   
  Q. Isab.  Thus do you still suspect me without cause?
      
  Niece.  Sweet uncle! speak more kindly to the queen.
      
  Gav.  My lord, dissemble with her, speak her fair.
      
  K. Edw.  Pardon me, sweet, I forgot myself.
           224
   
  Q. Isab.  Your pardon is quickly got of Isabel.
      
  K. Edw.  The younger Mortimer is grown so brave,
      
That to my face he threatens civil wars.
      
  Gav.  Why do you not commit him to the Tower?
           228
   
  K. Edw.  I dare not, for the people love him well.
      
  Gav.  Why, then we’ll have him privily made away.
      
  K. Edw.  Would Lancaster and he had both carous’d
      
A bowl of poison to each other’s health!
           232
   
But let them go, and tell me what are these?
      
  Niece.  Two of my father’s servants whilst he liv’d,—
      
May’st please your grace to entertain them now.
      
  K. Edw.  Tell me, where wast thou born? What is thine arms?
           236
   
  Bald.  My name is Baldock, and my gentry
      
I fetch from Oxford, not from heraldry.
      
  K. Edw.  The fitter art thou, Baldock, for my turn.
      
Wait on me, and I’ll see thou shalt not want.
           240
   
  Bald.  I humbly thank your majesty.
      
  K. Edw.  Knowest thou him, Gaveston?
      
  Gav.        Ay, my lord;
      
His name is Spencer, he is well allied;
           244
   
For my sake, let him wait upon your grace;
      
Scarce shall you find a man of more desert.
      
  K. Edw.  Then, Spencer, wait upon me; for his sake
      
I’ll grace thee with a higher style ere long.
           248
   
  Y. Spen.  No greater titles happen unto me,
      
Than to be favoured of your majesty!
      
  K. Edw.  Cousin, this day shall be your marriage-feast.
      
And, Gaveston, think that I love thee well,
           252
   
To wed thee to our niece, the only heir
      
Unto the Earl of Gloucester late deceas’d.
      
  Gav.  I know, my lord, many will stomach 17 me,
      
But I respect neither their love nor hate.
           256
   
  K. Edw.  The headstrong barons shall not limit me;
      
He that I list to favour shall be great.
      
Come, let’s away; and when the marriage ends,
      
Have at the rebels, and their ’complices!  Exeunt

Act the Second
   
 
   
Scene III
   
 
   
 
   
[Near Tynemouth Castle]
Enter KENT, LANCASTER, Young MORTIMER, WARWICK, PEMBROKE, and others

  Kent.  My lords, of love to this our native land
      
I come to join with you and leave the king;
      
And in your quarrel and the realm’s behoof
      
Will be the first that shall adventure life.
           4
   
  Lan.  I fear me, you are sent of policy,
      
To undermine us with a show of love.
      
  War.  He is your brother, therefore have we cause
      
To cast 1 the worst, and doubt of your revolt.
           8
   
  Kent.  Mine honour shall be hostage of my truth;
      
If that will not suffice, farewell, my lords.
      
  Y. Mor.  Stay, Edmund; never was Plantagenet
      
False to his word, and therefore trust we thee.
           12
   
  Pem.  But what’s the reason you should leave him now?
      
  Kent.  I have inform’d the Earl of Lancaster.
      
  Lan.  And it sufficeth. Now, my lords, know this,
      
That Gaveston is secretly arriv’d,
           16
   
And here in Tynemouth frolics with the king.
      
Let us with these our followers scale the walls,
      
And suddenly surprise them unawares.
      
  Y. Mor.  I’ll give the onset.
           20
   
  War.        And I’ll follow thee.
      
  Y. Mor.  This tottered 2 ensign of my ancestors
      
Which swept the desert shore of that dead sea
      
Whereof we got the name of Mortimer,
           24
   
Will I advance upon these castle-walls.
      
Drums, strike alarum, raise them from their sport,
      
And ring aloud the knell of Gaveston!
      
  Lan.  None be so hardy as to touch the king;
           28
   
But neither spare you Gaveston nor his friends.  Exeunt.

Act the Second
   
 
   
Scene IV
   
 
   
 
   
[Near Tynemouth Castle]
Enter KING EDWARD and Young SPENCER

  K. Edw.  O tell me, Spencer, where is Gaveston?
      
  Spen.  I fear he is slain, my gracious lord.
      
  K. Edw.  No, here he comes; now let them spoil and kill.
      
 
   
[Enter QUEEN ISABELLA, KING EDWARD’S Niece, GAVESTON, and Nobles]

Fly, fly, my lords, the earls have got the hold;
           4
   
Take shipping and away to Scarborough;
      
Spencer and I will post away by land.
      
  Gav.  O stay, my lord, they will not injure you.
      
  K. Edw.  I will not trust them; Gaveston, away!
           8
   
  Gav.  Farewell, my lord.
      
  K. Edw.  Lady, farewell.
      
  Niece.  Farewell, sweet uncle, till we meet again.
      
  K. Edw.  Farewell, sweet Gaveston; and farewell, niece.
           12
   
  Q. Isab.  No farewell to poor Isabel thy queen?
      
  K. Edw.  Yes, yes, for Mortimer, your lover’s sake.  Exeunt all but QUEEN ISABELLA.
      
  Q. Isab.  Heavens can witness I love none but you:
      
From my embracements thus he breaks away.
           16
   
O that mine arms could close this isle about,
      
That I might pull him to me where I would!
      
Or that these tears that drizzle from mine eyes
      
Had power to mollify his stony heart,
           20
   
That when I had him we might never part.
      
 
   
Enter LANCASTER, WARWICK, Young MORTIMER, and others. Alarums

  Lan.  I wonder how he scap’d!
      
  Y. Mor.  Who’s this? The queen!
      
  Q. Isab.  Ay, Mortimer, the miserable queen,
           24
   
Whose pining heart her inward sighs have blasted,
      
And body with continual mourning wasted:
      
These hands are tir’d with haling of my lord
      
From Gaveston, from wicked Gaveston,
           28
   
And all in vain; for, when I speak him fair,
      
He turns away, and smiles upon his minion.
      
  Y. Mor.  Cease to lament, and tell us where’s the king?
      
  Q. Isab.  What would you with the king? Is’t him you seek?
           32
   
  Lan.  No, madam, but that cursed Gaveston.
      
Far be it from the thought of Lancaster
      
To offer violence to his sovereign.
      
We would but rid the realm of Gaveston:
           36
   
Tell us where he remains, and he shall die.
      
  Q. Isab.  He’s gone by water unto Scarborough;
      
Pursue him quickly, and he cannot ’scape;
      
The king hath left him, and his train is small.
           40
   
  War.  Foreslow 1 no time, sweet Lancaster; let’s march.
      
  Y. Mor.  How comes it that the king and he is parted?
      
  Q. Isab.  That thus your army, going several ways,
      
Might be of lesser force; and with the power
           44
   
That he intendeth presently 2 to raise,
      
Be easily suppress’d; therefore be gone.
      
  Y. Mor.  Here in the river rides a Flemish hoy;
      
Let’s all aboard, and follow him amain.
           48
   
  Lan.  The wind that bears him hence will fill our sails:
      
Come, come aboard, ’tis but an hour’s sailing.
      
  Y. Mor.  Madam, stay you within this castle here.
      
  Q. Isab.  No, Mortimer, I’ll to my lord the king.
           52
   
  Y. Mor.  Nay, rather sail with us to Scarborough.
      
  Q. Isab.  You know the king is so suspicious,
      
As if he hear I have but talk’d with you,
      
Mine honour will be call’d in question;
           56
   
And therefore, gentle Mortimer, be gone.
      
  Y. Mor.  Madam, I cannot stay to answer you,
      
But think of Mortimer as he deserves.  [Exeunt all except QUEEN ISABELLA.]
      
  Q. Isab.  So well hast thou deserv’d sweet Mortimer,
           60
   
As Isabel could live with thee for ever!
      
In vain I look for love at Edward’s hand,
      
Whose eyes are fix’d on none but Gaveston;
      
Yet once more I’ll importune him with prayers.
           64
   
If he be strange and not regard my words,
      
My son and I will over into France,
      
And to the king my brother there complain,
      
How Gaveston hath robb’d me of his love:
           68
   
But yet I hope my sorrows will have end,
      
And Gaveston this blessed day be slain.  Exit.

Act the Second
   
 
   
Scene V
   
 
   
 
   
Enter GAVESTON, pursued

  Gav.  Yet, lusty lords, I have escap’d your hands,
      
Your threats, your ’larums, and your hot pursuits;
      
And though divorced from King Edward’s eyes,
      
Yet liveth Pierce of Gaveston unsurpris’d, 1
           4
   
Breathing, in hope (malgrado 2 all your beards,
      
That muster rebels thus against your king),
      
To see his royal sovereign once again.
      
 
   
Enter [WARWICK, LANCASTER, PEMBROKE, Young MORTIMER, Soldiers, JAMES, and other Attendants of PEMBROKE]

  War.  Upon him, soldiers, take away his weapons.
           8
   
  Y. Mor.  Thou proud disturber of thy country’s peace,
      
Corrupter of thy king, cause of these broils,
      
Base flatterer, yield! and were it not for shame,
      
Shame and dishonour to a soldier’s name,
           12
   
Upon my weapon’s point here should’st thou fall,
      
And welter in thy gore.
      
  Lan.        Monster of men!
      
That, like the Greekish strumpet, 3 train’d 4 to arms
           16
   
And bloody wars so many valiant knights;
      
Look for no other fortune, wretch, than death!
      
King Edward is not here to buckler thee.
      
  War.  Lancaster, why talk’st thou to the slave?
           20
   
Go, soldiers, take him hence, for, by my sword,
      
His head shall off. Gaveston, short warning
      
Shall serve thy turn; it is our country’s cause
      
That here severely we will execute
           24
   
Upon thy person. Hang him at a bough.
      
  Gav.  My lord!—
      
  War.        Soldiers, have him away;—
      
But for thou wert the favourite of a king,
           28
   
Thou shalt have so much honour at our hands—
      
  Gav.  I thank you all, my lords: then I perceive,
      
That heading is one, and hanging is the other,
      
And death is all.
           32
   
 
   
Enter EARL OF ARUNDEL

  Lan.  How now, my lord of Arundel?
      
  Arun.  My lords, King Edward greets you all by me.
      
  War.  Arundel, say your message.
      
  Arun.        His majesty,
           36
   
Hearing that you had taken Gaveston,
      
Entreateth you by me, yet but he may
      
See him before he dies; for why, he says,
      
And sends you word, he knows that die he shall;
           40
   
And if you gratify his grace so far,
      
He will be mindful of the courtesy.
      
  War.  How now?
      
  Gav.        Renownèd Edward, how thy name
           44
   
Revives poor Gaveston!
      
  War.        No, it needeth not;
      
Arundel, we will gratify the king
      
In other matters; he must pardon us in this.
           48
   
Soldiers, away with him!
      
  Gav.        Why, my lord of Warwick,
      
Will not these delays beget my hopes?
      
I know it, lords, it is this life you aim at,
           52
   
Yet grant King Edward this.
      
  Y. Mor.        Shalt thou appoint
      
What we shall grant? Soldiers, away with him!
      
Thus we’ll gratify the king:
           56
   
We’ll send his head by thee; let him bestow
      
His tears on that, for that is all he gets
      
Of Gaveston, or else his senseless trunk.
      
  Lan.  Not so, my lords, lest he bestow more cost
           60
   
In burying him than he hath ever earn’d.
      
  Arun.  My lords, it is his majesty’s request,
      
And in the honour of a king he swears,
      
He will but talk with him, and send him back.
           64
   
  War.  When? can you tell? Arundel, no; we wot
      
He that the care of his realm remits,
      
And drives his nobles to these exigents 5
      
For Gaveston, will, if he sees 6 him once,
           68
   
Violate any promises to possess him.
      
  Arun.  Then if you will not trust his grace in keep,
      
My lords, I will be pledge for his return.
      
  Y. Mor.  ’Tis honourable in thee to offer this;
           72
   
But for we know thou art a noble gentleman,
      
We will not wrong thee so, to make away
      
A true man for a thief.
      
  Gav.  How mean’st thou, Mortimer? That is over-base.
           76
   
  Y. Mor.  Away, base groom, robber of king’s renown!
      
Question with thy companions and thy mates.
      
  Pem.  My Lord Mortimer, and you, my lords, each one,
      
To gratify the king’s request therein,
           80
   
Touching the sending of this Gaveston,
      
Because his majesty so earnestly
      
Desires to see the man before his death,
      
I will upon mine honour undertake
           84
   
To carry him, and bring him back again;
      
Provided this, that you my lord of Arundel
      
Will join with me.
      
  War.        Pembroke, what wilt thou do?
           88
   
Cause yet more bloodshed? Is it not enough
      
That we have taken him, but must we now
      
Leave him on “had I wist,” 7 and let him go?
      
  Pem.  My lords, I will not over-woo your honours,
           92
   
But if you dare trust Pembroke with the prisoner,
      
Upon mine oath, I will return him back.
      
  Arun.  My lord of Lancaster, what say you in this?
      
  Lan.  Why, say, let him go on Pembroke’s word.
           96
   
  Pem.  And you, Lord Mortimer?
      
  Y. Mor.  How say you, my lord of Warwick?
      
  War.  Nay, do your pleasures, I know how ’twill prove.
      
  Pem.  Then give him me.
           100
   
  Gav.        Sweet sovereign, yet I come
      
To see thee ere I die.
      
  War.        Yet not perhaps,
      
If Warwick’s wit and policy prevail.  [Aside.]
           104
   
  Y. Mor.  My lord of Pembroke, we deliver him you;
      
Return him on your honour. Sound, away!  Exeunt all except PEMBROKE, ARUNDEL, GAVESTON, [JAMES,] and other Attendants of PEMBROKE.
      
  Pem.  [My lord of Arundel,] you shall go with me.
      
My house is not far hence; out of the way
           108
   
A little, but our men shall go along.
      
We that have pretty wenches to our wives,
      
Sir, must not come so near and baulk their lips.
      
  Arun.  ’Tis very kindly spoke, my lord of Pembroke;
           112
   
Your honour hath an adamant of power
      
To draw a prince.
      
  Pem.  So, my lord. Come hither, James:
      
I do commit this Gaveston to thee,
           116
   
Be thou this night his keeper; in the morning
      
We will discharge thee of thy charge. Be gone.
      
  Gav.  Unhappy Gaveston, whither goest thou now?  Exit with JAMES and the other Attendants.
      
  Horse-boy.  My lord, we’ll quickly be at Cobham.  Exeunt.

Act the Third
   
 
   
Scene I
   
 
   
 
   
Enter GAVESTON mourning, JAMES, and other Attendants of PEMBROKE

  Gav.  O treacherous Warwick! thus to wrong thy friend.
      
  James.  I see it is your life these arms pursue.
      
  Gav.  Weaponless must I fall, and die in bands?
      
O! must this day be period of my life?
           4
   
Centre of all my bliss! An ye be men,
      
Speed to the king.
      
  War.        My lord of Pembroke’s men,
      
Strive you no longer—I will have that Gaveston.
           8
   
  James.  Your lordship does dishonour to yourself,
      
And wrong our lord, your honourable friend.
      
  War.  No, James, it is my country’s cause I follow.
      
Go, take the villain; soldiers, come away.
           12
   
We’ll make quick work. Commend me to your master,
      
My friend, and tell him that I watch’d it well.
      
Come, let thy shadow 1 parley with King Edward.
      
  Gav.  Treacherous earl, shall I not see the king?
           16
   
  War.  The king of Heaven, perhaps; no other king.
      
Away!  Exeunt WARWICK and Soldiers with GAVESTON.
      
  James.  Come, fellows, it booted not for us to strive,
      
We will in haste go certify our lord.  Exeunt.

Act the Third
   
 
   
Scene II
   
 
   
 
   
Enter KING EDWARD and [Young] SPENCER, [BALDOCK, and Nobles of the KING’S side, and Soldiers] with drums and fifes

  K. Edw.  I long to hear an answer from the barons
      
Touching my friend, my dearest Gaveston.
      
Ah! Spencer, not the riches of my realm
      
Can ransom him! Ah, he is mark’d to die!
           4
   
I know the malice of the younger Mortimer,
      
Warwick I know is rough, and Lancaster
      
Inexorable, and I shall never see
      
My lovely Pierce, my Gaveston again!
           8
   
The barons overbear me with their pride.
      
  Y. Spen.  Were I King Edward, England’s sovereign,
      
Son to the lovely Eleanor of Spain,
      
Great Edward Longshanks’ issue, would I bear
           12
   
These braves, this rage, and suffer uncontroll’d
      
These barons thus to beard me in my land,
      
In mine own realm? My lord, pardon my speech:
      
Did you retain your father’s magnanimity,
           16
   
Did you regard the honour of your name,
      
You would not suffer thus your majesty
      
Be counterbuff’d of 1 your nobility.
      
Strike off their heads, and let them preach on poles!
           20
   
No doubt, such lessons they will teach the rest,
      
As by their preachments they will profit much,
      
And learn obedience to their lawful king.
      
  K. Edw.  Yea, gentle Spencer, we have been too mild,
           24
   
Too kind to them; but now have drawn our sword,
      
And if they send me not my Gaveston,
      
We’ll steel it on their crest, and poll their tops.
      
  Bald.  This haught 2 resolve becomes your majesty,
           28
   
Not to be tied to their affection,
      
As though your highness were a schoolboy still,
      
And must be aw’d and govern’d like a child.
      
 
   
Enter the Elder SPENCER, with his truncheon and Soldiers

  E. Spen.  Long live my sovereign, the noble Edward,
           32
   
In peace triumphant, fortunate in wars!
      
  K. Edw.  Welcome, old man, com’st thou in Edward’s aid?
      
Then tell thy prince of whence, and what thou art.
      
  E. Spen.  Lo, with a band of bowmen and of pikes,
           36
   
Brown bills and targeteers, four hundred strong,
      
Sworn to defend King Edward’s royal right,
      
I come in person to your majesty,
      
Spencer, the father of Hugh Spencer there,
           40
   
Bound to your highness everlastingly,
      
For favour done, in him, unto us all.
      
  K. Edw.  Thy father, Spencer?
      
  Y. Spen.        True, an it like your grace,
           44
   
That pours, in lieu of all your goodness shown,
      
His life, my lord, before your princely feet.
      
  K. Edw.  Welcome ten thousand times, old man, again.
      
Spencer, this love, this kindness to thy king,
           48
   
Argues thy noble mind and disposition.
      
Spencer, I here create thee Earl of Wiltshire,
      
And daily will enrich thee with our favour,
      
That, as the sunshine, shall reflect o’er thee.
           52
   
Beside, the more to manifest our love,
      
Because we hear Lord Bruce doth sell his land,
      
And that the Mortimers are in hand withal,
      
Thou shalt have crowns of us t’ outbid the barons:
           56
   
And, Spencer, spare them not, but lay it on.
      
Soldiers, a largess, and thrice welcome all!
      
  Y. Spen.  My lord, here comes the queen.
      
 
   
Enter QUEEN ISABELLA, and her son [PRINCE EDWARD,] and LEVUNE, a Frenchman

  K. Edw.  Madam, what news?
           60
   
  Q. Isab.  News of dishonour, lord, and discontent.
      
Our friend Levune, faithful and full of trust,
      
Informeth us, by letters and by words,
      
That Lord Valois our brother, King of France,
           64
   
Because your highness hath been slack in homage,
      
Hath seized Normandy into his hands.
      
These be the letters, this the messenger.
      
  K. Edw.  Welcome, Levune. Tush, Sib, if this be all
           68
   
Valois and I will soon be friends again.—
      
But to my Gaveston; shall I never see,
      
Never behold thee now?—Madam, in this matter,
      
We will employ you and your little son;
           72
   
You shall go parley with the King of France.—
      
Boy, see you bear you bravely to the king,
      
And do your message with a majesty.
      
  P. Edw.  Commit not to my youth things of more weight
           76
   
Than fits a prince so young as I to bear,
      
And fear not, lord and father, Heaven’s great beams
      
On Atlas’ shoulder shall not lie more safe,
      
Than shall your charge committed to my trust.
           80
   
  Q. Isab.  Ah, boy! this towardness makes thy mother fear
      
Thou art not mark’d to many days on earth.
      
  K. Edw.  Madam, we will that you with speed be shipp’d,
      
And this our son; Levune shall follow you
           84
   
With all the haste we can despatch him hence.
      
Choose of our lords to bear you company,
      
And go in peace; leave us in wars at home.
      
  Q. Isab.  Unnatural wars, where subjects brave their king;
           88
   
God end them once! My lords, I take my leave,
      
To make my preparation for France.  [Exit with PRINCE EDWARD.]
      
 
   
[Enter ARUNDEL.] 3

  K. Edw.  What, Lord Arundel, dost thou come alone?
      
  Arun.  Yea, my good lord, for Gaveston is dead.
           92
   
  K. Edw.  Ah, traitors! have they put my friend to death?
      
Tell me, Arundel, died he ere thou cam’st,
      
Or didst thou see my friend to take his death?
      
  Arun.  Neither, my lord; for as he was surpris’d,
           96
   
Begirt with weapons and with enemies round,
      
I did your highness’ message to them all;
      
Demanding him of them, entreating rather,
      
And said, upon the honour of my name,
           100
   
That I would undertake to carry him
      
Unto your highness, and to bring him back.
      
  K. Edw.  And tell me, would the rebels deny me that?
      
  Y. Spen.  Proud recreants!
           104
   
  K. Edw.        Yea, Spencer, traitors all.
      
  Arun.  I found them at the first inexorable;
      
The Earl of Warwick would not bide the hearing,
      
Mortimer hardly; Pembroke and Lancaster
           108
   
Spake least: and when they flatly had denied,
      
Refusing to receive me pledge for him,
      
The Earl of Pembroke mildly thus bespake;
      
“My lords, because our sovereign sends for him,
           112
   
And promiseth he shall be safe return’d,
      
I will this undertake, to have him hence,
      
And see him re-delivered to your hands.”
      
  K. Edw.  Well, and how fortunes [it] that he came not?
           116
   
  Y. Spen.  Some treason, or some villainy, was the cause.
      
  Arun.  The Earl of Warwick seiz’d him on his way;
      
For being delivered unto Pembroke’s men,
      
Their lord rode home thinking his prisoner safe;
           120
   
But ere he came, Warwick in ambush lay,
      
And bare him to his death; and in a trench
      
Strake off his head, and march’d unto the camp.
      
  Y. Spen.  A bloody part, flatly ’gainst law of arms!
           124
   
  K. Edw.  O shall I speak, or shall I sigh and die!
      
  Y. Spen.  My lord, refer your vengeance to the sword
      
Upon these barons; hearten up your men;
      
Let them not unreveng’d murder your friends!
           128
   
Advance your standard, Edward, in the field,
      
And march to fire them from their starting holes.
      
  K. Edw.  (Kneeling.) By earth, the common mother of us all,
      
By Heaven, and all the moving orbs thereof,
           132
   
By this right hand, and by my father’s sword,
      
And all the honours ’longing to my crown,
      
I will have heads, and lives for him, as many
      
As I have manors, castles, towns, and towers!—  [Rises.]
           136
   
Treacherous Warwick! traitorous Mortimer!
      
If it be England’s king, in lakes of gore
      
Your headless trunks, your bodies will I trail,
      
That you may drink your fill, and quaff in blood,
           140
   
And stain my royal standard with the same,
      
That so my bloody colours may suggest
      
Remembrance of revenge immortally
      
On your accursed traitorous progeny,
           144
   
You villains, that have slain my Gaveston!
      
And in this place of honour and of trust,
      
Spencer, sweet Spencer, I adopt thee here:
      
And merely of our love we do create thee
           148
   
Earl of Gloucester, and Lord Chamberlain,
      
Despite of times, despite of enemies.
      
  Y. Spen.  My lord, here’s a messenger from the barons.
      
Desires access unto your majesty.
           152
   
  K. Edw.  Admit him near.
      
 
   
Enter the Herald, with his coat of arms

  Her.  Long live King Edward, England’s lawful lord!
      
  K. Edw.  So wish not they, I wis, that sent thee hither.
      
Thou com’st from Mortimer and his ’complices,
           156
   
A ranker rout of rebels never was.
      
Well, say thy message.
      
  Her.  The barons up in arms, by me salute
      
Your highness with long life and happiness;
           160
   
And bid me say, as plainer to your grace,
      
That if without effusion of blood
      
You will this grief have ease and remedy,
      
That from your princely person you remove
           164
   
This Spencer, as a putrifying brance,
      
That deads the royal vine, whose golden leaves
      
Empale your princely head, your diadem,
      
Whose brightness such pernicious upstarts dim,
           168
   
Say they; and lovingly advise your grace,
      
To cherish virtue and nobility,
      
And have old servitors in high esteem,
      
And shake off smooth dissembling flatterers.
           172
   
This granted, they, their honours, and their lives,
      
Are to your highness vow’d and consecrate.
      
  Y. Spen.  Ah, traitors! will they still display their pride?
      
  K. Edw.  Away, tarry no answer, but be gone!
           176
   
Rebels, will they appoint their sovereign
      
His sports, his pleasures, and his company?
      
Yet, ere thou go, see how I do divorce  Embraces SPENCER.
      
Spencer from me.—Now get thee to thy lords,
           180
   
And tell them I will come to chastise them
      
For murdering Gaveston; hie thee, get thee gone!
      
Edward with fire and sword follows at thy heels.  [Exit Herald.]
      
My lords, perceive you how these rebels swell?
           184
   
Soldiers, good hearts, defend your sovereign’s right,
      
For now, even now, we march to make them stoop.
      
Away!  Exeunt. Alarums, excursions, a great fight, and a retreat [sounded, within].

Act the Third
   
 
   
Scene III
   
 
   
 
   
[Battlefield at Boroughbridge in Yorkshire]
Re-enter KING EDWARD, the Elder SPENCER, Young SPENCER, and Noblemen of the KING’S side

  K. Edw.  Why do we sound retreat? Upon them, lords!
      
This day I shall pour vengeance with my sword
      
On those proud rebels that are up in arms
      
And do confront and countermand their king.
           4
   
  Y. Spen.  I doubt it not, my lord, right will prevail.
      
  E. Spen.  ’Tis not amiss, my liege, for either part
      
To breathe awhile; our men, with sweat and dust
      
All choked well near, begin to faint for heat;
           8
   
And this retire refresheth horse and man.
      
  Y. Spen.  Here come the rebels.
      
 
   
Enter Young MORTIMER, LANCASTER, WARWICK, PEMBROKE, and others.

  Y. Mor.  Look, Lancaster, yonder is Edward
      
Among his flatterers.
           12
   
  Lan.        And there let him be
      
Till he pay dearly for their company.
      
  War.  And shall, or Warwick’s sword shall smite in vain.
      
  K. Edw.  What, rebels, do you shrink and sound retreat?
           16
   
  Y. Mor.  No, Edward, no; thy flatterers faint and fly.
      
  Lan.  They’d best betimes forsake thee, and their trains, 1
      
For they’ll betray thee, traitors as they are.
      
  Y. Spen.  Traitor on thy face, rebellious Lancaster!
           20
   
  Pem.  Away, base upstart, bravest thou nobles thus?
      
  E. Spen.  A noble attempt and honourable deed,
      
Is it not, trow ye, to assemble aid,
      
And levy arms against your lawful king!
           24
   
  K. Edw.  For which ere long their heads shall satisfy,
      
To appease the wrath of their offended king.
      
  Y. Mor.  Then, Edward, thou wilt fight it to the last,
      
And rather bathe thy sword in subjects’ blood,
           28
   
Than banish that pernicious company?
      
  K. Edw.  Ay, traitors all, rather than thus be brav’d,
      
Make England’s civil towns huge heaps of stones,
      
And ploughs to go about our palace-gates.
           32
   
  War.  A desperate and unnatural resolution!
      
Alarum! To the fight!
      
St. George for England, and the barons’ right!
      
  K. Edw.  Saint George for England, and King Edward’s right!  [Alarums. Exeunt the two parties severally.]

Act the Third
   
 
   
Scene IV
   
 
   
 
   
Re-enter KING EDWARD [and his followers,] with the Barons [and KENT], captives

  K. Edw.  Now, lusty lords, now, not by chance of war,
      
But justice of the quarrel and the cause,
      
Vail’d 1 is your pride; methinks you hang the heads,
      
But we’ll advance them, traitors. Now ’tis time
           4
   
To be avenged on you for all your braves,
      
And for the murder of my dearest friend,
      
To whom right well you knew our soul was knit,
      
Good Pierce of Gaveston, my sweet favourite.
           8
   
Ah, rebels! recreants! you made him away.
      
  Kent.  Brother, in regard of thee, and of thy land,
      
Did they remove that flatterer from thy throne.
      
  K. Edw.  So, sir, you have spoke; away, avoid our presence.  [Exit KENT.]
           12
   
Accursed wretches, was’t in regard of us,
      
When we had sent our messenger to request
      
He might be spar’d to come to speak with us,
      
And Pembroke undertook for his return,
           16
   
That thou, proud Warwick, watch’d the prisoner,
      
Poor Pierce, and headed him ’gainst law of arms?
      
For which thy head shall overlook the rest,
      
As much as thou in rage outwent’st the rest.
           20
   
  War.  Tyrant, I scorn thy threats and menaces;
      
It is but temporal that thou canst inflict.
      
  Lan.  The worst is death, and better die to live
      
Than live in infamy under such a king.
           24
   
  K. Edw.  Away with them, my lord of Winchester!
      
These lusty leaders, Warwick and Lancaster,
      
I charge you roundly—off with both their heads!
      
Away!
           28
   
  War.  Farewell, vain world!
      
  Lan.        Sweet Mortimer, farewell.
      
  Y. Mor.  England, unkind to thy nobility,
      
Groan for this grief, behold how thou art maim’d!
           32
   
  K. Edw.  Go take that haughty Mortimer to the Tower,
      
There see him safe bestow’d; and for the rest,
      
Do speedy execution on them all.
      
Begone!
           36
   
  Y. Mor.  What, Mortimer! can ragged stony walls
      
Immure thy virtue that aspires to Heaven?
      
No, Edward, England’s scourage, it may not be;
      
Mortimer’s hope surmounts his fortune far.  [The captive Barons are led off.]
           40
   
  K. Edw.  Sound drums and trumpets! March with me, my friends,
      
Edward this day hath crown’d him king anew.  Exeunt all except Young SPENCER, LEVUNE, and BALDOCK.
      
  Y. Spen.  Levune, the trust that we repose in thee,
      
Begets the quiet of King Edward’s land.
           44
   
Therefore begone in haste, and with advice
      
Bestow that treasure on the lords of France,
      
That, therewith all enchanted, like the guard
      
That suffered Jove to pass in showers of gold
           48
   
To Danae, all aid may be denied
      
To Isabel, the queen, that now in France
      
Makes friends, to cross the seas with her young son,
      
And step into his father’s regiment. 2
           52
   
  Levune.  That’s it these barons and the subtle queen
      
Long levell’d at.
      
  Bal.        Yea, but, Levune, thou seest
      
These barons lay their heads on blocks together;
           56
   
What they intend, the hangman frustrates clean.
      
  Levune.  Have you no doubt, my lords, I’ll clap so close
      
Among the lords of France with England’s gold,
      
That Isabel shall make her plaints in vain,
           60
   
And France shall be obdurate with her tears.
      
  Y. Spen.  Then make for France, amain—Levune, away!
      
Proclaim King Edward’s wars and victories.  Exeunt.

Act the Fourth
   
 
   
Scene I
   
 
   
 
   
[Near the Tower of London]
Enter KENT

  Kent.  Fair blows the wind for France; blow gentle gale,
      
Till Edmund be arriv’d for England’s good!
      
Nature, yield to my country’s cause in this.
      
A brother? No, a butcher of thy friends!
           4
   
Proud Edward, dost thou banish me thy presence?
      
But I’ll to France, and cheer the wronged queen,
      
And certify what Edward’s looseness is.
      
Unnatural king! to slaughter noblemen
           8
   
And cherish flatterers! Mortimer, I stay
      
Thy sweet escape: stand gracious, gloomy night,
      
To his device.
      
 
   
Enter Young MORTIMER, disguised

  Y. Mor.        Holla! who walketh there?
           12
   
Is’t you, my lord?
      
  Kent.        Mortimer, ’tis I;
      
But hath thy potion wrought so happily?
      
  Y. Mor.  It hath, my Lord; the warders all asleep,
           16
   
I thank them, gave me leave to pass in peace.
      
But hath your grace got shipping unto France?
      
  Kent.  Fear it not.  Exeunt.